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NSUN news

An Inpatient Guide To Your Rights

Earlier this month  NSUN was asked to help develop a guide with people subject to the Mental Health Act in the Three Bridges Medium Secure Unit in West London.
'An Inpatient Guide To Your Rights' is based on the revised Mental Health Act Code of Practice. The revised code came into force on 1 April 2015 and aims to provide stronger protection for patients and clarify roles, rights and responsibilities. This includes:

  • involving the patient and, where appropriate, their families and carers in discussions about the patient’s care at every stage
  • providing personalised care
  • minimising the use of inappropriate blanket restrictions, restrictive interventions and the use of police cells as places of safety.

You can see some of the draft documents produced to date here. Please feel free to comment as we want these to be as accessible and useful as possible.

A service user led conference

NSUN and Peer2Peer were  in Milton Keynes last week attending the 'Learning from the Lived Experience of Secure Care' conference, where the powerful themes of eliminating force and changing day-to-day interactions in inpatient care prevailed!

We are looking for a music therapist

We are seeking a London-based Music Therapist to lead, help set up and establish a Music Therapy Programme for all our (many) members. This is a voluntary but professional vacancy that could lead to a permanent position. For more information, please visit here.

Take part in on-going work on our members manifesto

During our latest Trustees and Team meeting, participants have suggested we make  changes to our members manifesto. We need your thoughts on this. Whether your ideas concern contents, wording or design, please email us here (quoting 'members manifesto' in the subject line) or call 0207 820 8982. We will be collating suggestions during November, December and January.

Join us at the Crisis Care Concordat Summit

NSUN will take part in the Crisis Care Concordat 2015 national summit, to be held on 24 November 2015  at the Kia Oval, London. The focus will be on what more can be done to ensure that people of all ages who experience mental health crisis receive appropriate, timely and urgent care and support. The report of the 2014 national summit can be found here.  For more information concerning the forthcoming summit, please call 020 8215 2339 or email: contact@crisiscareconcordat.org.uk

NSUN to present at event highlighting the link between mental and physical health

Naomi Good, our Networking and Research Manager, is to present at a conference on improving physical health for people with mental health diagnoses. The event will take place in February next year. For a full agenda and registration details, please visit here.

Previously shared information available online

Please visit our website to find jobs and events we shared in previous e-bulletins.

 
 

New book: Values and Ethics in Mental Health

This book equips readers with a sound understanding of the value-base of mental health care and provides them with the skills and knowledge to demystify complex values in decision-making in order to reach outcomes which are focused on the needs of service users. Engaging case examples and exercises link theory and practice throughout.

The authors:
Jayasree Kalathil
Gemma Stacey
Alastair Morgan
Anne Felton
Bill Fulford

You can get the book - and read a sample chapter here

 
 

Call for papers: Offering Food <--> Refusing Food

For a Special Issue, the Journal for Psycho-Social Studies seeks to gather psycho-social and philosophical perspectives – together with the voices of lived experience – to explore and discuss the disturbances of ‘groupishness’ – the ‘mad tea-party’ – that may be understood as constituting the ‘ground’ for the ‘figure’ of a feeding pair in disarray. Contributors are invited to consider the nature of the difficult encounter between the would-be feeder and the won’t-be-fed.

Authors are invited to submit a 200-300 word summary.  All potential contributions will be received and considered on an equal footing by the Guest Editors.
Deadline for abstract submissions is 31 January 2016.

For more details about this project and the Journal's policy on submissions, please visit this page

 
 

Pressure on mental health sector has negative impact on patient care say King's Fund

The King Fund have published a new briefing, Mental Health under pressure. This shows that the mental health sector is under a huge amount of strain with around 40 per cent of trusts experiencing a cut in income in 2013/14 and 2014/15. This is in marked contrast to the acute sector, where more than 85 per cent of trusts saw their income increase over the same periods.

You can read the full briefing here

 
 

Join a new social group in Newcastle

Are you feeling socially isolated?
Would you like to join a group for a relaxed social afternoon?
Exchange information and get involved in activities.
Promote positive wellbeing and a healthier lifestyle.
Everyone welcome to come along for a taster session. Tea, coffee & light snacks available.                  

Every Wednesday 1.30 - 3.30
St. Martin’s Centre, Roman Avenue, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 2RJ

For enquiries or to book a place please call 0300 3230083 or email

 
 

Tyneside Women's Health needs Trustees

Tyneside Women’s Health (TWH) is seeking enthusiastic women to join the Board of Trustees to help ensure the provision of high quality mental health and wellbeing support for women in Tyneside.

About you:
You will bring your time, energy and commitment to working in the best interests of the organisation. You will be able to work effectively in a team and to think with a long-term vision. You will have experience of working strategically as well as substantial experience and skills in at least one of the following areas:

  • health and social care practice
  • finance / accounting
  • marketing and business development
  • leadership and/or management
  • company secretary duties

If you wish to know more about this role, please download this document.

 
 

Free online resource to improve mental health prevention

Mental Health 4 Life is a new and free online learning resource which both professionals and members of the public can use to promote self care and mental health prevention. Divided into 10 modules, with infographics, specially commissioned films and case studies, the resource allows those who sign up to also self test and dip in and out to suit their needs and lifestyles.

For more information and contact details, please read this page.

 
 

Moving video presented at the Sundance Film Festival

Alive Inside: A Story Of Music & Memory Featurette was presented last year at the Sundance Film Festival. This is a very moving film, available to watch on YouTube.

 
 

Recovery Devon Development Fund - Money for small projects in Devon

The development fund will offer financial support to individuals or organisations for projects, events or research based around recovery.
If you have a great idea which can help your local club or community, an artistic project, or an activity which meets a genuine need, then Recovery Devon want to hear from you.

Full details of how to apply can be found in this attached Word document or in this PDF.  You can also call 07824 161192 or email for more information.

 
 

Take part in a study into enjoying activities while managing depression

The purpose of this study, led by Exeter University, is to examine the effect positive activities have on mood. It aims to investigate if different thinking styles enhance mood during and after the experience. Specifically this study looks at ways to increase pleasure experience in people who experience low mood.

Who is eligible to participate?
The university are looking for people who are suffering from low mood and/or struggling to enjoy every day positive activities. Participants must be 18 years or over and speak fluent English.

Those completing the study will receive £15.
Full details including contact information can be found in this PDF.

 
 

Job opportunity: Research Assistant/Service User Researcher

Population Health Research Institute - St Georges University of London (SGUL)
Salary: £25,023 to £30,738 per annum pro rata
Conditions: Part time (17.5 hours) fixed term for 9 months
Closing Date: Monday 30 November 2015

An opportunity has opened for a research assistant who is interested in drawing on their own lived experience of mental health problems for the purposes of their work (as a service user researcher) in this second stage evaluation of a local peer-led, peer support network. The post-holder will be a key member of the evaluation team from the Population Health Research Institute at SGUL, working alongside another service user researcher (who will project manage the evaluation) and a number of co-researchers from the peer support network.

For more information, please read the recruiter's online advert and recruitment process page (including full job description).

 
 

Job opportunity: Volunteer and Participation Coordinator

Second Step, a mental health charity based in the West of England, are seeking a self-motivated individual who has excellent facilitation and engagement skills. You will be working with a range of agencies to find creative solutions for individuals, assisting and challenging existing practices, share learning, and help influence the way services are designed and delivered in future.

Salary: £21,782 - £23,810 pro rata per annum
Conditions: Fixed-Term Contract for 18th Months, Part-Time, 22 hours per week
Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 November 09 am
Interviews: 7 December

For more information and to download an application pack please visit the website or  email quoting the job title. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Hannah Mahoney, Programme Manager, on 0117 909 6630.

 
 

Help Healthwatch assess local health services

Do you want to see improved health services for people with learning disabilities and family carers?
Would you like to develop your skills?
Are you interested in visiting local services to assess how good they are?

Healthwatch Lambeth are looking for family carers to join our team of ‘expert by experience’ volunteers carrying out visits to local health services for the Right for Everyone project.
The programme involves visits by trained family carers and people with learning disabilities to GP practices, pharmacies, dentists, opticians and foot clinics. The visits look at how accessible and kind the service is, as well as the quality of information and advice provided. Healthwatch will use the findings to develop training to improve services.

The deadline for applications is 19 November. To know more about the role and the Right for Eveyone Programme, please visit here

 
 

Advocacy Survey

Please could you help by taking a few minutes to respond to the questions in this Advocacy Survey.

The organisers want to hear from as many advocates and interested others as possible, so please also share this if you can.

This survey is to ask for your views about what the key issues are in the sector as well as what some of the solutions might be. This survey isn’t just lots of tick boxes – that’s because the issues are complex and varied.

Individual responses will be kept confidential. Any comments referred to in any reports will be anonymised. Summarised findings from this survey will be shared within the Third sector – Action Advocacy Alliance, SCIE and others to help inform thinking about how people can all work together to best support the sector to continue to develop and flourish.

The deadline for the survey is Friday 20 November

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Gail Petty

 
 

Dementia 2020 Transforming Care, Support & Research

Booking has already opened for this event due in April next year.
Date: 12 April 2016
Time: 08:15am - 4:45pm
Venue: Church House, London

Confirmed speakers

  • Reinhard Guss Chair, Faculty of the Psychology of Older People &, Co-chair, Dementia Action Alliance
  • Professor Alistair Burns CBE, National Clinical Director for Dementia, NHS England
  • Dr Simon Ridley, Director of Research, Alzheimers Research UK
  • Hilda Hayo, CEO, Dementia UK
  • George McNamara, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Alzheimer`s Society
  • Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, Care Quality Commission

For a full agenda and to book your place, please visit this page

 
 

Free HR and Employment Law seminars

Organised by Avensure, these free roadshow seminars cover some of the latest HR & Employment Law changes and what you need to do to remain legally compliant, as they open up a few pitfalls around areas like social media policies, employment contracts and disciplinaries and statutory maternity / paternity / sick pay.
In an interactive session, a knowledgeable trainer will answer your specific and practical queries and concerns. Aimed especially at Business Owners, organisation leaders and HR personnel, sessions will include topics such as:

  • Social Media - Protect your brand on the social media channels.
  • Disciplinaries & Dismissals – If you have to do it, do it right.
  • Sickness & Absence – Manage an efficient work force.

Forthcoming dates, times and venues:

  • 30th Nov 2015 9:30am-12:30pm, Hotel Du Vin, Cannizaro House, West Side Common, London SW19 4UE
  • 3rd Dec 2015 9:30am-12:30pm, Petersham Hotel, Nightingale Lane, Richmond TW10 6UZ
  • 8th Dec 2015 9:30am-12:30pm, House of St Barnabas, 1 Greek Street, London Soho W1D 4NQ
  • 11th Dec 2015 9:30am-12:30pm, Chelsea Harbour Hotel, Chelsea Harbour Drive, London SW10 0XG

To reserve a place, please visit here
If you cannot make one of these seminars and would like to be informed of upcoming seminars in your area, please register on this page
You can also contact Colin Bowyer, Employment Law Consultant on 0843 886 6152

 
 

CQC consultation - responses needed by 22 November

In Building on strong foundations, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) asks for your views on how regulation can develop -  ahead of the next stage of consultation on  new strategy in January 2016.

The CQC has started work preparing  the Equality and Human Rights Impact Analysis for the January consultation – this will include an action plan relating to the proposals in the consultation. Feedback from equality and human rights experts on the discussion paper out now will be very helpful in developing the Impact Analysis, so individuals and organisations are invited to submit a response to this paper. You will see that there is a specific question about the impact of the approaches on  equality and human rights.


Deadline for comments back is 22 November. Responses should be sent to strategyconsultation@cqc.org.uk

 
 

Design in Mental Health Network: call for participants and workshop leaders

The Design in Mental Health Network is looking for people with an interest in how design and architecture in inpatient settings impacts on their mental health. The network conference will be in  17-18 May 2016 in Birmingham. Hannah Chamberlain is a representative coordinating a group of 12 individuals who can feedback to architects, NHS professionals and planners and others on their work in progress.

The Design in Mental Health Network is also coordinating 4 workshop leaders who can present on their experiences with design, in particular interior design and/or interacting with the environment, to a small group of 30 people. You will be supported in developing your presentation, which will be done in a group of 2 people who access / have accessed services, one student architect and a service user chair. For more details please email Hannah Chamberlain or call 07811 169609.

 
 

Smoking and mental health research: your opinions needed

Smoking is more common amongst people with a mental health condition. Those with a long standing mental health condition are, for example, three times as likely to smoke as those without.
To better understand these links, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is gathering data and would like to know your opinions.
There are two surveys, one for people who have experienced a mental health condition and one for staff who work with people with mental health conditions.
The results of both surveys will feed into a report which is being developed in partnership with Action on Smoking and Health, Mind, Rethink and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. It will be published in the New Year.

The surveys are available at:

 
 

Creative contributions wanted for 2016 calendar

For the past 2 years AIM for mental health awareness have produced a calendar which includes creative work by people with experience of mental ill health. A copy is given to every contributing creative and supporting organisation. Each month includes a picture of visual art work/poetry/piece of creative writing. Credit is given to the supporting organisation the artist attends so private names are not used. Provided art work is also displayed at community venues. 

There are no criteria, there is no standard which much be attained, anything which the creative contributor wants to put forward is considered and in the past drawings from children whose parent experience depression have also been used. You can submit work created using alternative media e.g. sculpting, textiles...for visual 2D or 3D artwork, only a photo is necessary as these are sent to AIM's printers.

AIM is now looking for contributions for the 2016 calendar: if you, someone you know or or an organisation who would like to contribute please encourage them to get creative.  Please email your contributions to James Armstrong as soon as you can.

 
 

Contribute in a university research project

A trainee clinical psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire is working on a doctoral thesis researching the experience of adults who were young carers for a parent with psychosis.

If you are a service user or a carer aged between 18 and 45 and have had such experience or know someone who has, please email Katie Turner. You can also call Katie on 07444 453904.

The study involves a one-off interview lasting about an hour and has gained ethical approval from the University of Hertfordshire. Katie normally travels to meet with participants so that you are not inconvenienced. The data from the interview will be processed so that you are not identifiable to others, and will be kept securely. The principles of confidentiality will be maintained throughout, and the data will be destroyed when no longer needed.

 
 

MacMillan to set up mental health and cancer taskforce

Have you had cancer and found that the experience impacted on your emotional and mental health? Or perhaps you had pre-existing mental health problems and then developed cancer as well? Have you cared for someone who experienced both cancer and mental health problems?

MacMillan are holding an engagement event, as a first step towards setting up a mental health and cancer taskforce to look at the issues faced by people with this dual lived experience. Those involved will help shape MacMillan's work nationally.

Date: 5 December
Time: 10:30am - 3pm
Venue: 3mins walk from Euston Station, London, NW1 (full details tbc)

The event will be structured and interactive, led by the views of those attending. Lunch and refreshments will be provided free, and reasonable travel costs will be paid in advance or reimbursed. The venue is fully accessible.

Places are limited to 29 people, so please get in touch as soon as you can to register your interest and tell the MacMillan Research Team about yourself and why you'd like to attend - this is to ensure a good mix of people in terms of ethnicities, ages, gender, types of cancer and mental health diagnoses or struggles, and the area you come from. If you are not available on the 5th of December or are not offered a place, there will be other ways you can get involved in the taskforce in the future. If you are not online, please call Anna on 020 7091 2056.

 
 

The end of Ebola in Sierra Leone

The UK led the international response to the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone and deployed over 150 NHS volunteers who worked on the frontline to support over 1,500 treatment and isolation beds – more than half of all the beds available for Ebola patients in the country. This article explains the extent of the UK involvement and how it helped end the epidemic.

Giving adults voice, choice and control in social care

This document provides guidance on how registered nurses, care and support staff can enable relationship-centred care, and how they can work with others to achieve personalised care and support.

NHS Bursary Scheme rules 2015

Information about the NHS Bursary Scheme for universities and students considering work in the NHS. There are several documents, available on this page.